16-Jan-2001
Ashi slowly stalked the halls of the castle. Every nerve sang with tension. The building oozed painful memories, ancient screams, and cries for mercy from those long dead. The cacophony they created pounded on her mental shields, distracting her.
A part of her was aware of a powerful presence in the room just up the hall. Instinct told her the tall blond occupied the room. Walker no doubt as well. The thought of what the vampire could be doing to her friend, gave the seemingly young woman strength. Pushing aside the past, Ashi approached the door, listening carefully. No sound penetrated the thick wood.
Growling under her breath, the young woman opened her shields long enough to "see" Walker tied to a bed. Red tinted lavender eyes for a second, then taking a deep breath, the woman calmed herself. There could be no show of power until everyone was in place. This had to be a trap, so why not spring it?
Trying to look young and stupid, Ashi slowly pushed the door open and peeked inside. Her friend was indeed tied to a bed; spread-eagle, naked, awaiting his Master's pleasure. The fear in his eyes proved some independence still existed. The vampire was, of course, behind the wooden portal. Biting back a sigh, Ashi rushed to Walker's aid. About half way there, strong hands grasped both her arms, pulling them over her head.
Cursing and kicking, she put up a convincing fight. Cool metal closed around her wrists, leaving her feet just barely on the ground. Unwilling to let the monster win without some damage, the female hunter landed a blow to the longhaired bloodsucker's stomach.
"Oh you are going to be fun to torture," the doubled over creature rasped. "First, you need to learn your place." With startling speed, the vampire claimed her mouth. Real anger entered lavender orbs as Ashi kneed the presumptuous creature in the groin, forcing an end to the kiss.
The vampire's eyes went red as it growled at her. "Either you are a pet or food. Guess you want to be food, young one." White fangs slid over blood red lips.
Projecting as much fear as she could, Ashi shrank from the man towering over her. The others hadn't contacted her yet. If this creature drank now, the whole plan would be ruined. Damn it all, but she was going to have to beg. Just as the thought formed, however, another voice filled the room.
"Please, Master," Walker called in a tone that could only be described as seductive. "Won't you touch me?"
The vampire raked its hungry gaze over the young man. "Think you can fool me, pretty one?" Dark laughter chilled living blood. "I will have you both. But first I'm going to show her the future."
Before the prisoners could blink, Walker was straddled by the now half naked undead. Black claws opened lines of red along the human's chest and thighs. Screams of pain clashed with the young man's pleas for more. Each breath brought a contradiction. One moment controlled by the one torturing him, the next free to vocalize his torment.
"Son of a whore," Ashi yelled. "Leave him alone." Plan or not, she just couldn't stand by and let Walker be used like this.
The creature laughed at her and thrust a dry finger between the young scout's thighs. The mortal's eyes took on a far away look as he moved mindlessly on the intruder; twin lines of tears marked his cheeks. Nausea twisted the woman's insides. The vampire allowed Walker to be aware of what was happening, but unable to control his actions.
Enough was enough. Ashi opened her shields and called to her lovers only to find she couldn't contact them. There was only one way that could happen. Another of their kind was blocking her. Terror raced through her. Just one other existed.
Snapping the chains with ease, the silver-haired woman started to rescue Walker when a presence appeared behind her. Summoning all her powers, Ashi spun to find the person she was most terrified of, Tsubarov. The ancient man pulled her into an embrace, trapping her arms at her sides.
"Well, how is the soon-to-be-mother of my children?" He purred.
"Go fuck yourself," Ashi growled. "Only my bonded can claim that right."
Behind her the vampire and Walker acted like the little drama wasn't happening. Moans of agony and pleasure drifted from the bed.
"That's right," the old man smiled. "But if your bonded should die..." He let the sentence trail off, reveling in the look of shock on her face. "Exactly my dear. A trap within a trap within a trap. Duo is so very easy to predict. Still, I don't think either he or Trowa will be ready for the surprises my little pets have in store."
Unleashing all of her stored energy at once, Ashi broke her captor's grip and fled the room. Mentally, she shrieked for the others. Silence was the answer.
"They can't be dead," she reasoned frantically. "I would have felt it."
A prickling alone her neck preceded a blast of power from Tsubarov. It knocked her to her knees. There was no time to recover. The man gripped silver hair, forcing lavender eyes to meet his.
"You will submit to me woman." Canine teeth extended themselves through his smile. "As the last female of our kind, you belong to the most powerful. Despite what Duo may think, that is I."
Ashi had time for one last mental cry before his fangs tore at her throat, giving him access to her blood and mind. Tsubarov laughed as he forced her down into darkness.
End Part 5
Where are the guys? Say goodbye to Ashi for a while. Could there be a fate worse than getting stuck with Tsubarov? Find out more next time.
Phoenix
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